Nellis seeks money for housing and support of new F-35 fighters

WASHINGTON — Nellis Air Force Base may be rocked by the sequester, but planning continues for upgrades to base housing and projects to support the arriving F-35 fighter jets.

The Air Force is asking Congress for $78.5 million in the fiscal year that starts in October for work at the Las Vegas installation, a request being reviewed by the House Appropriations Committee.

According to budget documents, the Air Force is requesting the following:

■$35 million for a 240-room dormitory to replace two smaller dorms that have received minimal renovations over 35 years.

■ $20 million for an addition to the Weapons School building where pilots are taught how to fly drone aircraft.

■ $9.4 million to expand and renovate a fueling hangar to accommodate the 36 F-35 fighters that began arriving at Nellis last month .

■ $9.1 million to build a warehouse for 18,000 types of spare parts for the F-35, and $5 million to expand and renovate a storage building for aircraft equipment.

The Air Force budget request was endorsed this week by Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nev. The lawmaker, whose district includes Nellis, urged leaders of the House military construction subcommittee to approve the money.

Nellis officials said earlier this month that automatic sequester budget cuts had forced them to cancel an upcoming Red Flag air combat exercise and the next weapons school session for pilots.

Brig. Gen. Charles Moore, commander of the 57th Wing, said, “We are doing everything we can to keep testing of the F-35 on track.”

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760. Follow him on Twitter @STetreaultDC.